Need some help with .32 cal.

Guys,
I ordered a .32 cal Crockett Traditions 1:48 and will have it by Friday. I was wondering if you had any input/load info you wouldn't mind sharing.

Also very interested in any very light loads, below 10grs etc. of fffg etc. for shooting starlings, sparrows at close range?

I have been fighting with ' which caliber' .32 or .36! I already have a round ball molds for the .32 and have been shooting them out of my rifles. I am very happy with the performance of the .311 balls on game up to 20lbs+ (some gobblers were over 20lbs).



Thanks for your help
Harpy

 

[doverdog]

Those are good questions, but I think this belongs on one of the topics further down the board, the Flintlock, Percussion, or General Interest, perhaps. This area is for questions on use of the board. Good luck with the "pea" gun.

 

[Doc Will]

Hey Harpy,
Being that YOU ARE in the percussion section and that I am sure your Crocket rifle will be percussion I will let you in on my experience with my .32 cal. Some years back I bought a Mule Ear rifle kit from Deer Creek Products. Came in the white with a side slapper lock. Looked like a neat little gun for plinking and squirell hunting. After i got the barrel shot in, and with a little work with steel wool on a ramrod, I got the bore smoothed up. My groups came together. At first it was cutting patches badly and the accuracy just sucked. Now I can put 5 shots in a 1" circle at 25 yards. I do not think I will ever shoot squirell beyond that range. This little rescal does not like thick patching. I use 25 grains 3f Goex and .0010 pillow ticking patch. I never wash my patching, but some people do. I had to do a lot of experminting with patching and loads, but it finally came together. Be patient and work with different powder chages and patch thickness and you will find something taht your gun likes. I cast my own .311 balls using a Lee mold and it works great. I did try loads up to 40 grains of powder and it would blow my patching apart. Good luck with it, I am sure you will enjoy it.
Doc Will
Keep Yer Powder Dry

 

I have a Crockett and the best accuracy for me is 25 gr. Goex 3fff, .012 patch ,311 ball. Mine groups best if I wipe the bore between shots with a moist (not wet) patch. For close range accuracy on feathered varmits a small plam full of #7 1/2 works real good. :winking:

 

Didn't we already do this one?

My gosh we're doing reruns!!!

 

[Jay Gardner]

GMA,

I have looked at getting a Crocket and probably will. Does the gun have a hooked breech and is it easy to take the barrel off for cleaning?

Thanks.

 

[Rebel]

It is advertized as having a hooked breech, but the 2 i owned didn't. They were though, extremely accurate.

 

[Rebel]

My gosh we're doing reruns!!!

If that bothers you, maybe you shouldn't read them again.

 

[Jay Gardner]

So how difficult is the gun to clean?

 

[Griz]

Harpy, I had one for a little while and mine seemed to like the .310 RB with .015 patch with 25 Gr 3FFFG Goex. That is what worked the best but I was not fully satified with it. I sold it and bought a .32 cal. Green Mountain flint barrel that fits my T/C Pennsylvania Hunter. The cleaning isn't to bad, if memory serves me correctly it has a barrel wedge pin and you have to take put one screw at the tang to get the barrel off the stock. Then there is a clean out screw on the barrel opposite from the nipple to aid in the cleaning process. They are a fine looking little rifle and should prove to make for a fine day in the squirrel woods. ::